CBD: opportunities and challenges in the US market
CBD has introduced a new and exciting ingredient to the supplement industry. How is the market developing in the US?
Growing interest
Pain control in veterinary medicine is of great concern as the industry prioritises alleviation of discomfort. The US pet population is aging, bringing arthritis and other degenerative joint diseases, as well as cognitive issues.
CBD, or cannabidiol, holds the promise of assisting with many conditions including discomfort, inappetence and nausea, and perhaps nervousness and behavioural issues. There is growing interest not only in the veterinary medical community but also from the public in general.
Why this interest? For years we have known that cannabinoid receptors are found throughout the body and impact a number of physiological processes, including behaviour, appetite, memory and pain. Many of these receptors are found in the central nervous system, which may explain the claimed positive impact CBD has on a pet’s state of wellbeing. With the loosening of legal restrictions, these products are readily available, and consumers are eager to benefit from the product.
Regulatory issues
However, as the US market develops, there are a number of regulatory issues. The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, also known as the Farm Bill, legalises the use of hemp, but the ingredient remains controlled at the Federal level.
Supplements are on the market, but veterinarians are not permitted to suggest or recommend their use for their patients.
Moreover, following the FDA approval of Epidiolex in the US as a prescription medication, it appears that further new cannabis products may be processed as a new drug, rather than a supplement.
Unsubstantiated claims
Meanwhile, because the potential market is so large and there is so much interest, some supplements of dubious quality, and that may not meet label claims, are coming to market. This includes not containing the amount of CBD stated on the label, having more than the permitted 0.3% of THC (the psychoactive chemical in marijuana), and potential contamination with solvents as well as biological agents.
Another risk is the lack of research on where the product may best be utilised, what optimal dosing is and what the potential side effects are.
More knowledge is welcome
Currently the supplemental use of CBD is generating incredible interest as well as opportunity, both with health benefits as well as acceptance in the general population. There are many questions that need to be answered but with an upswing in research more knowledge of how best to utilise the product will be welcome